Kenilworth castle england

Gothic literature in Britain and the U.S in the 18th and 19th centuries

By mselteacher
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    18th Century: The Birth of Gothic Literature

  • "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole

    "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole
    1764 – "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole is published. Often considered the first Gothic novel, it introduces many Gothic tropes, such as the haunted castle, mystery, and supernatural events.
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    Late 18th Century: Growth and Popularity in Britain

  • "The Italian" by Ann Radcliffe

    "The Italian" by Ann Radcliffe
    1787 – "The Italian" by Ann Radcliffe. She becomes a key figure in the Gothic genre, popularizing the use of mysterious, dangerous landscapes and the exploration of human emotions.

  • "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis

    "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis
    1796 – "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis. This work pushes the boundaries of the genre with its dark, violent, and scandalous themes.
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    Early 19th Century: The Golden Age of Gothic Literature in Britain

  • "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

    "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
    1818 – "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is published. A blend of Gothic horror and science fiction, this novel introduces the character of Frankenstein’s monster, exploring themes of creation, ambition, and morality.

  • "The Revised Edition of Frankenstein"

    "The Revised Edition of Frankenstein"
    1831 – "The Revised Edition of Frankenstein". Mary Shelley revises her famous novel, adding new perspectives on the themes of human nature and the limits of science.
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    Mid 19th Century: The Rise of Gothic in America

  • "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

    "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
    1845 – "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is published. A defining work of American Gothic literature, Poe explores themes of loss, madness, and the supernatural through a haunting poem.

  • "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë

    "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
    1847 – "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë is published. A dark, tragic love story set in the isolated Yorkshire moors, it is often considered a cornerstone of Gothic literature due to its intense emotional atmosphere and themes of obsession.
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    Late 19th Century: Gothic Influences in American Literature

  • "The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain" by Charles Dickens

    "The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain" by Charles Dickens
    1849 – "The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain" by Charles Dickens. Dickens' contribution to Gothic fiction, focusing on supernatural elements mixed with social criticism.

  • "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe

    "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe
    1849 – "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. A perfect example of Gothic fiction, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements, and exploring themes of decay, madness, and death.

  • "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

    "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
    1897 – "Dracula" by Bram Stoker is published. This novel becomes iconic in both Gothic literature and popular culture, introducing Count Dracula and the vampire myth to the world. It blends Gothic horror with elements of modernity.